Rural Churches of the Don Armenians: Urban planning and architectural-historical significance

Abstract

The research of the architecture of churches in villages of the Armenians of the Lower Don (Myasnikovsky district of the Rostov region of the Russian Federation) was conducted in order to identify their urban, historical and aesthetic value and significance in the history of the Armenian Diaspora. The analysis of the stylistic features of the architecture of the churches led to the conclusion that consideration of them in problem-chronological order allows us to trace the process of searching by customers and architects of the national Armenian "style", which was relevant in the era of historicism. Urban planning analysis and characteristics of the current state of buildings indicate that the churches of Surb Astvatsatsin in Bolshye Saly village, Surb Hambartsum in Chaltyr village, Surb Amenaprkich in Crimea village are in satisfactory condition. They are important in the modern urban planning system of settlements and strengthen the identification of main streets and squares. The churches of Surb Gevorg in Sultan Saly village and Surb Karapet in Nesvetay village are in a ruined state and require work to be preserved. The article emphasizes that churches define the "spirit of the place" of the Armenian community and contributes to the maintenance of ethno-cultural identity.